SIKESTON – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently donated nearly 28,000 pounds of food to Southeast Missouri Food Bank.
The donation was made on behalf of Missouri First Lady Teresa Parson and included nutritious foods such as peanut butter, shelf-stable milk, pears, pinto beans, rice, apple sauce, and pasta and sauce.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently donated nearly 28,000 pounds of food to Southeast Missouri Food Bank. The donation was made on behalf of Missouri First Lady Teresa Parson. Pictured, from left, are Sister Karen Rouse, Second Counselor Stake Relief Society Presidency; President Ross Ann Schwartz, Stake Relief Society President; President Glade Oxborrow, First Counselor Stake Presidency; Joey Keys, Southeast Missouri Food Bank chief executive officer; and Sarah M. Garner, SEMO Food Bank chief advancement officer.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is grateful for the opportunity to make this donation on behalf of First Lady Teresa Parson to the Southeast Missouri Food Bank,” said Sister Karen Rouse, Second Counselor Stake Relief Society Presidency. “The Church of Jesus Christ humanitarian work is focused to relieve suffering, foster self-reliance, and provide opportunities for service. The semi-truck donation is just shy of 28,000 pounds, and will provide nutritious food to thousands of neighbors facing hunger across southeast Missouri.”
Southeast Missouri Food Bank serves 80,000 individuals each month across it’s 16-county service area, which includes some of the highest rates of hunger in the state. As food costs have risen over the few years, the food bank has spent more money purchasing the food it distributes.
SEMO Food Bank’s Sarah M. Garner and inventory and supply chain director Steve Neal chat with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after receiving a nearly 28,000 pound donation from the church. The donation was made on behalf of Missouri First Lady Teresa Parson and included nutritious foods such as peanut butter, shelf-stable milk, pears, pinto beans, rice, apple sauce, and pasta and sauce.
“The truckload of food will be such a blessing to so many of our neighbors facing hunger,” said Joey Keys, chief executive officer of SEMO Food Bank. “We appreciate the church’s support and thoughtful donation. These are the types of foods that often are requested by the people we serve.”
The products donated by the Latter-day Saints will be distributed through the food bank’s network of partner agencies. To find a pantry in your county, please visit www.semofoodbank.org.